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U.K. Start-Up Sportal Boosts
Content to Attract Acquirers

By

Stephanie Gruner Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated May 17, 2000 11:59 p.m. ET

LONDON -- When Rob Hersov formed a company two years ago to create Web sites filled with information and entertainment for sports fans, he figured he could outrace the big media companies. Now Mr. Hersov is hoping that one of those lumbering giants might be tempted to scoop up his firm, Sportal Ltd.

For Mr. Hersov, a 39-year-old dealmaker who lives in London, content is king in the new media world. He learned that lesson nearly a decade ago from a former boss, Rupert Murdoch, a titan of the old media. During his job...